WC HISTORY: MATCHES

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The past WC tournaments were delivered with differently many participants (10, 12, 14, 16), but in the same format always:

First is played in 2 pools A and B "everyone against each other". After finishing the pool matches the 1st and the 2nd of each pool plays over cross (semi finals), just as the 3rd and the 4th, the 5th and 6th, and so on. In the closing final round the definite classification between the losers and the winners of the respective over cross matches is out-played. Thus a complete ranking of the tournament results.

RANKING IN THE POOLS, CLASSIFICATION MATCHES

The regulations for the pool rankings were changed several times. Likewise the rules to establish the winner of a classificatian match finishing with a draw.

According to the rules valid at present the winner get 3 points and 1 point is given to each team in case of a draw. For the ranking in the table decide (1) points, (2) matches won, (3) goal difference, (4) goals for.

Up to the WC 1998 there is given only 2 points for a victory. For the table likewise first the (1) points were crucial. The exact regulations in case of an equal number of points could not be investigated so far. Uniquely in 1971 there was a decision match Kenya vs. Germany for the 2nd place of pool A. The likewise point-same France became 4th of the pool - probably because of the negative goal difference.

Today in case of a draw in a classificaten match first an extra-time of maximally 2 times 7½ minutes is played, during this the first goal decides - the Golden Goal. If the extra-time ends without a goal a penalty stroke competition establishes the winner of the match.

In former times the extra-time always was out-played. There was also years in which the winner was established directly by a penalty stroke competition without any exta-time, so in 1994 in Sydney.

FORMER WORLD CUPS MEN:

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